The Affair Season 2 Episode 4 Review: Checkmate
Paul Dailly
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A family falling apart is always going to have repercussions for both parties and just when the dark clouds are clearing up, they'll come rushing back to show just how messed up everything still is.
On The Affair Season 2 Episode 4, we got a lot of insight into Helen, and it really was needed. To date, she's pretty much played second fiddle to Noah and Alison, and it's interesting that the show has been focusing on her a lot more this time round.
Maura Tierney is a seasoned actress, and she finally got a diverse amount of material to showcase that.
It's evident that deep down, she's lonely. Noah was her ride or die, and she's realizing that he was her one true friend and love and that she's not much without him. That's what happens when you spend so much of your life with someone.
Helen has tried and tried to get away from all the drama and have a drama free home, but her mother's revelation that her father has run off with one of his students makes her realize that it ain't going anywhere. I can't be the only one who absolutely loved drunk/high Helen. We needed this hour to realize just how integral she is to the show.
She's done a lot of questionable things, but that's because the poor woman is venting. It's not normal for someone to have four kids and have to be back on the dating scene. Helen is a catch, but she just doesn't see it. As much as I enjoyed her being with Max, this was always going to end in tears, so it made sense for her to nip it in the bud early.
Helen: Noah wants money.
Margaret: I'm sorry?
Helen: Were you gonna ask how the hearing was, or are you gonna talk some more about your hair dos?
Elsewhere, Noah was treated like trash in the first act of the hour and that made him ever more eager to get the upper hand on his wife, and I sort of fell out with him this week. Alison was also called a "paramore" like fourteen times. HA!
Helen: Maybe. If you stop saying paramore.
John: If I?
Helen: I mean, what the fuck was that, John? You said it fourteen times.
John: Well, it happens to be the legal term for it, but if you prefer I could say concubine. Fuck buddy? Slut face?
Helen: How 'bout cunt? Cunt works for me.
He seems stuck in this mind frame in which he thinks Helen is the bad one. It's time for him to wake up to the harsh light of day and realize that he and Alison are the reason his family is being torn apart. Heck, he has his daughter lying for him. What's that about?
He and Alison seemed to think that getting a house and everything would be as smooth as concealing an affair, but that's not how real life works. Why should Helen let the kids see her? It's a sucky situation for anyone to be in, but Helen will always think of her as the woman who is trying to replace her. That's the way it is, and that won't be changing any time soon.
I'll admit that I had to rewind the scene with Nina giving Noah the honest truth. Jennifer Esposito is a wonderful addition to the cast as Nina, and it would be good to see some more of her down the line. The jury is still out on Noah's father, but it's clear these two aren't going to be friends any time soon.
That ending was a crazy one and I'm intrigued to see how the trial actually plays out. There are a lot of things we have to ponder as The Affair Season 2 plays out, but it's been an enjoyable ride so far.
Other tidbits from the episode:
- Helen's one liners were on point. The way she spoke to her hairdresser was freaking hilarious. I'd love to see her next appointment with her... if there is one.
- Margaret's new hair style was pretty great, right? The woman is going through a similar crisis to her daughter, and it was really nice to show Helen following in her footsteps.
- Can Whitney get more screen time, like now? She's such a fun character who just speaks her mind.
- We need to catch up with Cole. Can he get like a whole episode to himself next week? Pretty please?
- This show deserves even more awards love than it's already received. The acting is flat out amazing.
Remember you can watch The Affair online right here on TV Fanatic. Get caught up on one of the most twisted shows on TV.
Over to you, fanatics. What did you think of this episode? Any guess how the next few weeks will play out? Chat with me in the comments.
Paul Dailly was an Associate Editor for TV Fanatic.Follow him on X.
